@cellolyle Yep, it's an original Mercedes D.III 6 cylinder inline engine. The fellow jumping up on the tire after start-up is closing the compression release on the back of the engine after the "hand prop". This D.VII is part of a private collection, and probably the most authentic replica out there. It's featured in Phil Makanna's "GHOSTS of THE GREAT WAR " coffee table book from a couple years back.
Yeah, they say it was the best, but you look at all the replica's flying and the D7 looks like its one of the more pokey machines. They probably were considered the best because they were the most stable and safe to fly, compared to all the other wild and wooly temperamental and unstable machines. The Dr.1 triplane, for example, is never stable flying itself, you have to constantly be on the stick flying it at all times.
@cobrachoppergirl It was classed as the best for several reasons. By the standards of the day, it was fast, stable, handled well and was easy to fly. Unlike other stable machines, however, it was also agile and quick to respond. It was also, largely by fluke, one of very few aircraft before the modern day of computers and FTW, to offer a degree of control beyond the stall. Contemporary accounts describe it 'hanging on the propeller' and shooting at stuff that was well off / above its course.
The engine is apparently a Mercedes D.IIIa (180 h.p.) which was originally used in the type. (Or, failing that, could be an American Hall-Scott six cylinder engine, which copied many of the Mercedes features.) You can tell by the sound and size of the propeller that it isn't an inverted Gypsy-Queen engine. The sound matches the Mercedes of the restored original in Holland on another link. Compare them and you'll hear the correct sound of the big Mercedes.
Yes, some famous ace said:"It has the ability to make an average pilot look like an ace".
It was so good the allies (the Entente) specifically included it in the Versailles treaty of 1919. germany was supposed to hand over all the D-VII and D-VIII's
Anthony Fokker kept a few and fled to the Netherlands...
The best fighter of all is said to be the Siemens-Shuckert D-VI, but it entered the war in such a late stage it hardly saw any action
what game is this?
Holliethedog 5 months ago
I don't want one. I NEED ONE...
indydude100 10 months ago 3
Every old farmer needs one of these barn finds in his barn. Damn the allies for requiring them all to be destroyed.
cobrachoppergirl 1 year ago
starting that propeller by hand gives me the chills.. scary.. I can see an arm going missing if you're not real quick on your feet!!! lol
TheRcgeek 1 year ago
Note the odd positioning of the prop,, at the bottem edge of the nose.. unsual. Dont' this this had a rotary engine. But a great airplane for sure.
xvoy2002 1 year ago
An original Mercedes, by the sound of it! Look at the huge prop it's swinging. Lovely.
cellolyle 1 year ago
@cellolyle Yep, it's an original Mercedes D.III 6 cylinder inline engine. The fellow jumping up on the tire after start-up is closing the compression release on the back of the engine after the "hand prop". This D.VII is part of a private collection, and probably the most authentic replica out there. It's featured in Phil Makanna's "GHOSTS of THE GREAT WAR " coffee table book from a couple years back.
sprucetreeflyer 1 year ago
The raven among chickens. very nice
symonsolar 1 year ago
i just can imagine how it feel fly that beautifull machine, i give all i had for fly them... greetings from México
Rosacruz01 1 year ago
Yeah, they say it was the best, but you look at all the replica's flying and the D7 looks like its one of the more pokey machines. They probably were considered the best because they were the most stable and safe to fly, compared to all the other wild and wooly temperamental and unstable machines. The Dr.1 triplane, for example, is never stable flying itself, you have to constantly be on the stick flying it at all times.
cobrachoppergirl 1 year ago
@cobrachoppergirl It was classed as the best for several reasons. By the standards of the day, it was fast, stable, handled well and was easy to fly. Unlike other stable machines, however, it was also agile and quick to respond. It was also, largely by fluke, one of very few aircraft before the modern day of computers and FTW, to offer a degree of control beyond the stall. Contemporary accounts describe it 'hanging on the propeller' and shooting at stuff that was well off / above its course.
Kneedragon1962 1 year ago
fokker .. what a name XD
orrestrnden 2 years ago
An incredible machine.
BarryDennen12 2 years ago 9
The engine is apparently a Mercedes D.IIIa (180 h.p.) which was originally used in the type. (Or, failing that, could be an American Hall-Scott six cylinder engine, which copied many of the Mercedes features.) You can tell by the sound and size of the propeller that it isn't an inverted Gypsy-Queen engine. The sound matches the Mercedes of the restored original in Holland on another link. Compare them and you'll hear the correct sound of the big Mercedes.
AviatikD1 2 years ago 2
The markings are of Ltn. Günther von Büren's Fokker D.VII of Jasta 18.
AviatikD1 2 years ago 3
the allies always write the history,not always what occurred-quality or quantity.
Oblivinit3 2 years ago
the D-VII is unquestionably the best all-around fighter of the war
absoluteauthority08 2 years ago 11
Yes, some famous ace said:"It has the ability to make an average pilot look like an ace".
It was so good the allies (the Entente) specifically included it in the Versailles treaty of 1919. germany was supposed to hand over all the D-VII and D-VIII's
Anthony Fokker kept a few and fled to the Netherlands...
The best fighter of all is said to be the Siemens-Shuckert D-VI, but it entered the war in such a late stage it hardly saw any action
McLarenMercedes 2 years ago 2
Hell yeah!
TTTR83 2 years ago
I want one!!!!!
redskins5605 3 years ago
Where is this D VII based?
douglasgleeson 3 years ago
Beautiful engine noise. is the engine the original merc, or a modern ranger, Gypsy queen etc?
hangarrat101 3 years ago
GREAT what engine, what place is thiss video taken, please more info
bessjenny 3 years ago
Is there any other video of this "operational" DVII available? It would be nice to see more of this plane in flight...
usedart 3 years ago